As swim season arrives, the Twin Pike Family YMCA has great news for kids and parents in the Twin Pike Counties. The Twin Pike Family YMCA is the recipient of a national grant from the YMCA of the USA’s Strategic Initiatives Fund. This grant will allow the YMCA to offer 50 FREE Swimming Lessons to kids that qualify. The Twin Pike Family YMCA was one of only 110 YMCAs nationwide to be selected for the grant. Selection criteria for the grant includes maintaining compliance with Y-USA Aquatics Safety Guidelines, employing certified swim instructors, serving specific low-income children and families, while targeting demographic groups that have high incidence of drowning.
Eligibility for the free swim lessons is based on the national Free/Reduced Lunch program. If a child is eligible during the school year for the free or reduced lunch program, they are eligible to receive swim lessons at no cost through this program. The scholarships created by this grant are to go to children from vulnerable and low-income households, who might otherwise not have such opportunities
YMCA swim programs, encourages children and parents in the Twin Pike Counties to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety in the forefront of their thoughts. In Y aquatics programs, par-ticipants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives. Swimming is a great physical activity that also motivates chil-dren to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation, and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing.
As the YMCA works to complete the area’s first indoor aquatics center, developing aquatics programs that serve our communities year-round, will be a priority for Y staff. The aquatics center is on schedule to be completed by next summer. To get information on the facility expansion, or the swim lesson grant contact Twin Pike Family YMCA at (573) 754-4497.